Person Information

Biography

John Armstrong Bross was born in Milford, Pennsylvania, the son of Deacon Moses Bross. He attended Chester Academy in Orange County, New York, and studied law. In 1848, he moved to Chicago with his elder brother and continued to practice law. Bross was appointed a U.S. Marshal during the Pierce Administration. On June 5th, 1856, he married Isabella "Belle" Mason of Sterling, Illinois. Bross helped muster troops for the 75th and 88th Illinois Companies, the latter over which he became Captain of Company A. In 1863, he was recruited and commissioned as Lieut. Col for Company A of the 29th United States Colored Troops. He took command of the "colored" brigade at Camp Casey, VA, in Spring 1864. Bross's troops were called to reinforce General Grant in Petersburg, Virginia in June 1864. Bross was killed leading his troops at Petersburg. He is referenced in a letter written by Willis A. Bogart to William H. Seward, dated May 8, 1864. Bogart, who was with the 29th at Camp Casey, Virginia, directs Seward to send any response to his letter through Col. Bross.

Citations

Biography and Citation Information:
Biography: 

John Armstrong Bross was born in Milford, Pennsylvania, the son of Deacon Moses Bross. He attended Chester Academy in Orange County, New York, and studied law. In 1848, he moved to Chicago with his elder brother and continued to practice law. Bross was appointed a U.S. Marshal during the Pierce Administration. On June 5th, 1856, he married Isabella "Belle" Mason of Sterling, Illinois. Bross helped muster troops for the 75th and 88th Illinois Companies, the latter over which he became Captain of Company A. In 1863, he was recruited and commissioned as Lieut. Col for Company A of the 29th United States Colored Troops. He took command of the "colored" brigade at Camp Casey, VA, in Spring 1864. Bross's troops were called to reinforce General Grant in Petersburg, Virginia in June 1864. Bross was killed leading his troops at Petersburg. He is referenced in a letter written by Willis A. Bogart to William H. Seward, dated May 8, 1864. Bogart, who was with the 29th at Camp Casey, Virginia, directs Seward to send any response to his letter through Col. Bross.

Citation Type: 
Book or Book Chapter
Book or Monograph Title: 
Memorial of Colonel John A. Bross, Twenty-ninth U.S. colored troops, who fell in leading the assault on Petersburgh, July 30, 1864. Together with a sermon by his pastor, Rev. Arthur Swazey
Author(s) or Editor(s): 
Rev. Arthur Swazey
Publisher Location: 
Chicago
Publisher Name: 
Tribune Book and Job Office
Year: 
1865
Citation Notes: 
https://archive.org/details/memorialofcolone00swaz/page/n11/mode/2up
Citation for Birth Info:
Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
Ancestry.com
Title of Webpage: 
Ancestry.com
Website Viewing Date: 
Thursday, September 1, 2022 - 13:45
Website Last Modified Date: 
Thursday, September 1, 2022 - 13:45
Citation Notes: 
Source Citation Year: 1860; Census Place: Chicago Ward 5, Cook, Illinois; Roll: M653_166; Page: 263; Family History Library Film: 803166 Source Information Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data: 1860 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M653, 1,438 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.
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Citation Type: 
Book or Book Chapter
Book or Monograph Title: 
Memorial of Colonel John A. Bross, Twenty-ninth U.S. colored troops, who fell in leading the assault on Petersburgh, July 30, 1864. Together with a sermon by his pastor, Rev. Arthur Swazey
Author(s) or Editor(s): 
Rev. Arthur Swazey
Publisher Location: 
Chicago, IL
Publisher Name: 
Tribune Book and Job Office
Year: 
1865
Start Page: 
3
Citation Notes: 
https://archive.org/details/memorialofcolone00swaz/page/n11/mode/2up
Citation for Death Info:
Citation Type: 
Book or Book Chapter
Book or Monograph Title: 
Official Army Register of the Volunteer Force of the United States Army for the years 1861, '62, '63, '64, and '65
Author(s) or Editor(s): 
United States. Adjutant-General's Office
Publisher Location: 
Washington, DC
Publisher Name: 
Adjutant General's Office
Year: 
1867
Start Page: 
200
Citation Notes: 
https://books.google.com/books?id=-SkfAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA200#v=onepage&q&f=false